Replying with Wisdom

We’ve all seen it: a discussion going quickly from friendly to heated in the comments section. Even other Christians on social media can be rude, quick to argue, and mean-spirited. When someone insults you, is your initial desire to offer a worse insult? Mine frequently is. The world encourages us to lean into selfishness and pride. It encourages us to always put ourselves first—to put down others if they put us down, to react in kind if they started it. But Jesus calls us to a radically different way. When the people around Him spat on Him and mocked Him, He was silent. He wasn’t putting Himself first. He could have chosen to avoid suffering, but, instead, He chose to die on a cross for our sins. He could have called down angels to rescue and avenge Him, to bring immediate judgment down on the heads of His persecutors, saying, “You refuse to believe Me? Here’s some proof you can’t deny.” In Christ, we turn the other cheek when someone is unkind to us (Matthew 5:39). Now, turning the other cheek doesn’t mean we shouldn’t share our beliefs. Jesus never apologized for reproaching sin and preaching the gospel. But it does mean we need to be loving in our conversations and disagreements. We shouldn’t trade insults, name-call, or be pridefully obsessed with winning arguments and having “gotcha!” moments. And if what we’re arguing about isn’t something God tells us is right or wrong, maybe it’s an argument we need to let go. When we disagree, it’s important to remember Christ’s humility (Philippians 2:3-11). One day, every word spoken will be accounted for before God (Matthew 12:36). Any unkind or scornful words spoken will be dealt with—by God Himself! That’s His job, not ours. Instead, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we as Christians are called to honor God, sharing the good news with our words and how we say them (Luke 12:11-12). • Jessica Kleeberger • When was a time someone spoke to you rudely and you were tempted to respond in kind? How did you respond? • As Christians, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are called to “be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger” (James 1:19). When you’re tempted to respond unkindly in a disagreement, how can you apply this verse to your life? My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. James 1:19 (CSB)

Read Verses:

Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 12:5-6; 1 Peter 4:10-11